Law enforcement 'gives back to the community that supports us, all year long'

Thursday

Nov 29, 2012 at 8:21 PMNov 29, 2012 at 8:33 PM

FOP musical benefit features David Ball in concert Dec. 2.

By Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

Since the early '80s, the Ionia County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 157 has hosted a family-oriented, country music concert the first Sunday in December.

It's not just that the FOP's members – some 70 of them – like country music, though they do. The concert is the organization's sole fundraiser each year. Almost all the money raised by this goes back out into the community.

"We give back because it's the community that supports us," said Lt. Roger Vander Molen of the Ionia County Sheriff's Office and president of the county's FOP lodge. "To do our work, to do our job effectively, we need their support."

This year, the FOP will present Nashville recording artist David Ball in concert at 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Ionia Theatre. Tickets are $22 for an individual; and $48 for a family, which includes two adults and children under 18. Tickets are available by calling 616-855-4596, by visiting the Ionia County Sheriff's Office or at the Ionia Theatre.

Fourteen of Ball's singles have entered the Billboard charts, including his Platinum-certified "Thinkin' Problem" and "Riding With Private Malone." He has recorded a total of seven studio albums on different labels. David Ball and The Pioneer Playboys have been touring in support the latest CD Sparkle City, which includes the single "Hot Water Pipe" and the upcoming release of "What'll I Do If I Don't Have You."

The December concert typically brings in between $3,000 and $3,500 each year. Proceeds support a variety of community programs, including Project Graduation, which gives graduating high school seniors an alternative to parties on graduation night; Kid's Wish Network, which helps grant the wish of an Ionia County child facing a life-altering crisis; the Greater Ionia Youth League, sponsoring a Little League baseball team; Relay for Life; and My C.O.P.S., which assists families of Ionia County police officers killed in the line of duty.

The concert fundraiser also helps FOP provide a one-time scholarship to the child of a lodge member; put up money for a Silent Observer award when one is given in Ionia County; support the Christmas dinner at Zion Community Food Pantry (FOP members also volunteer to serve dinner); send care packages to service people through the Marine Corps Family Foundation; give money to the annual children's Christmas party at Freedom Acres School; sponsor children to spend a day at the Ionia Free Fair through the Bob Miller Fund; and support other fundraisers for community members in need.

"We also help families when there has been some type of disaster, like a fire," Vander Molen said. "Anything we can do to help the citizens of Ionia County – we give where we can. Without the donations of the people coming to see the show, we would not be able to donate to some of the great causes we do.

"With the community's support Dec. 2, we can give back to the people who support us, all year long," said Vander Molen.